Date: Monday 4 July 2022

Venue: Pornichet

Race: R2 - Prix de l'Ecole Saint-Jean (2725m)

Type: Class F, driven walk up for three-year-olds only

Winner: Jiminy Cricket

Driver: Jean-Philippe Monclin

Trainer: Jean-Philippe Monclin

Breeding: Cyprien des Bordes x Miss de Corveil

Second : Janna Jayf

Third: Johnny Star

Jiminy Cricket made a winning debut on Monday at Pornichet, running to the line unchallenged.

Winning driver and trainer, Jean-Philippe Monclin settled the newcomer just behind midfield in the early stages of the contest being positioned two off the inside and around five lengths behind the leader, Janina des Touches. Throughout the first circuit Jiminy Cricket was travelling well and adopted a good rhythm.

As the remaining field took the left-handed turn approaching halfway, Jean-Philippe Monclin was making headway on the three-year-old gelding moving up on the outside passing the stands, taking second with a lap to go. At this stage, the runners were well grouped and Jiminy Cricket continued to catch the eye alongside the far side of the course for the final occasion.

Reaching the front with 1000m to go he stretched forward in dominant style increasing the tempo. There looked to be multiple challengers in the home straight however this son of Cyprien des Bordes maintained his speed and was unchallenged towards the winning post, pulling two lengths clear for a debut victory. He posted a kilometre rating of a 1'17''4.

Sire Cyprien des Bordes was a top-class mounted performer who won the mounted G1 Prix des Elites (2200m) at Vincennes in 2017 which was a career-best performance. It will be interesting to see if Jiminy Cricket will be campaigned among mounted company in the future, but he is certainly open to plenty of progress after this debut success.